The influence of ethanol on growth, fermentation and lipid composition ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaewas studied. Greater inhibition of growth than of fermentation was found at 5% (v/v) of added ethanol. Enhanced content of lipid and accumulation of ergosterol and squalene at 15% (v/v) of added ethanol were observed. Ethanol increased the content of palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic and oleic acid, but to a different extent. The amount of palmitoleic and oleic acids was 2.5 resp. 2.3 times higher than in the biomass without ethanol addition under the same conditions.